Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1887-09-03

hands TO work with, thaHk the Lord!"
'Don't talk nonsens-, Betseyg' said
Mr.. Nheelock, rather curtly.
But if l could only get tire family
Bible back again." cried Mrs Bliss, hys-
terically. "Oh, I'd give anything to the
one who would lring the old family
Bible back to mel!
Anything, eh7" said Wheclock.
Yes, anything!' said Mrs. Bliss, rock.
ing herself back and forth on the door
stone.S ut would bring good luck with
it-oh. ! know it would! vas sucl
fool ever to let it 60"
We'll, We won't say anything about
this interest money to-day" said Wheel
ock, with his hands in his pockets.
Perhaps some other time"
"a. times are the same to me-" said
she little widow, teckicss.y. Forty
1--WE dollars, isn't it7 Wen, I'm not
likely either to fnl gold mine Or strike
an oi-well between this and some other
day."
And she fell to tearing off the dust
Drowned lilac leaves, with q hand that
trcmbled with nervous agitation.
The sun ana the wind had long since
dried the fntlcring clothes upon the line
at the back door; The han Is of the clock
neared the hour of twelve when Nelly
would come home hungry from school,
aud Benny would return from his black
berrying excursion on the hills; and yet
Mrs. Bliss sat there, wishing she had
not sold the cid family B Ole 0 the city
lady with the heiotrope coored dress
and the scented japanese fan.
Presently she rose up with sigh.
Il may as we'll get the chidrcn's dim
ner," she said. "Walter Whcelock
went away dreadfuily sudden, l was
thinking perhaps he might come back,
but guess maybe that he was offended
by something that | said. l didn't
mean no harm (with q momentary sufTu-
sion of her poor swollen eyes, but p'raps
spoke without thinking; shouldn't
like to offend Walter Whcciock-he's
onc of the few friends used to have be-
fore Bliss married me. But, deary me,
when money and courage is gone, friends
90, too! That's my experience, any
how"
On the doorstep, however, she paused,
her hand still on the rusted latch. A
footstep had sounded on the hard beaten
earth OF the path; there was the rustling
Of lilac leaves, as ii some one were COM
ing up the lane.
'It's Walter Whcclock himself!" she
cried, with little catching for breath.
"Waltcr-and what has he got in his
arms2 The old family Bible, declare!
The old family Bible itself!"
Her face frightened, she ran to meet
him.
The dark thrown lawyer smiled.
Il went to your Mrs Sewer, Bctsoy, "
he said. cat first she wouldn't listen 10
4 word about returning it; but / Ltold
her that herlooms couldn't be bought
and sold like other merchandise
| talked to- her about the law and the
penalties accruing to those who broke
| its clauses | delugei her with instances
| from the law reports, ana limited darkly
| at prosecutions on the part Of the state,
until she began to cry and wish that she
never had seen the old thing. SO ther.
| offered her fifteen dollars, and she was
! glad enough 20 see the book carrie out
of the house. Here It is, Batscy. And
now, 10 you remember that you said you
would give anything to the one whe
brought back the old family B.b.er
But haven't got anything to give"
falterei Bctsev.
You have got what ! want most OF
anything in the world Betsey-yoursclf
I've always wanted you" he added
''even before YOU married r va. Bliss.
/ But somehow | never coud muster W
courage to ask you TO have me. People.
cowar1ice runs in strange streaks, lon
itl But now that have earned YOU,
tell NE, Betscy. will you give me your.
self"
J At that moment, with the co,or rising
IN her cheek, the eyes full Of soft shy
brightness, B-tsey Bliss looked almost